*Previously published in Philae Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 7, 1999; Northern Stars Magazine, Jan/Feb, 2000 and The Legions of Light, Winter 2001.




*CHRISTMAS
BY
KEITH LAUFENBERG




Christmas is here again. It comes this way, every year; once a year, always at the same time and it throws me and every member of the human race, I believe, into a dilemma. A dilemma you say? Yes, a dilemma. Webster's dictionary gives the definition of dilemma as that of an undesirable or unpleasant choice; a situation involving such a choice. Yes, folks, a situation we call Christmas.
In this life we need nothing but God to survive but we are led to believe that we need everything but God (to survive). When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor. James 4:10
'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?'� Matthew 6:25
And now Christmas is here and do we worry? Not just about what we will have to eat or what we will wear but what we will receive as Christmas presents. For, what is Christmas without presents? Without a Christmas tree and Santa Claus? And do we put our faith in presents? Do we judge ourselves and others by their character or by their pocketbooks? By their abilities or their influence and power? By their thoughtfulness or by the size or quality of the present? Are we pleased to see our friends, or are we more interested in the gifts they bear?
If you don't think this society puts more pressure and attempts at influencing ungodly behavior around Christmas just open almost any newspaper and take a look at the advertisements for goods and services, or listen to the radio or television. Where is the person in this society who isn't greedy or jealous? People are willing to throw their money at a lottery ticket but will walk past a down and out brother with his hand out. People are willing to virtually live inside a car for a month in a chance at winning that car but won't offer a person a ride. People will read a novel and shower the author with praise and reward but will forget about their creator and never consider opening his book. Now, if you don't think all this effects you then answer this question, what is the first question, now that Christmas is upon us, that you ask your little nephews or nieces or children from around your neighborhood or friends' children? Could it be the same question that was asked of you when you were a child? Just before Christmas, the question is what do you want for Christmas and just after Christmas it's generally, 'And what did Santa Claus bring you for Christmas?'� Society puts the pressure on us and we pass it along to our children. Is there any hope? Of course there is but first we must admit we are not celebrating the birth of Jesus as he has directed us to. Why do we continue to do it and is it disowning Christ himself?
We continue to do it because society demands it and we fall in line. Is it disowning Christ? The answer, of course, is obviously yes. We are disowning Christ. Can we be forgiven? Of course, we already have been, but does it justify our furtherance of this commercialization of the birth of Jesus? The answer is again obvious, no!
We are weak, just as all humans are and even as Peter, a disciple of Jesus, was:
Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken to him: 'Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.'� And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72
Peter was a disciple of Jesus and subsequently a Saint but reread the above passage and you will quickly realize that he broke down and wept for what he had done and never denied Jesus, ever again.
If you explain the true meaning of Christmas to a small child he or she will not be unhappy but will be filled with joy and will not only share his toys but will wish to give them to another child. Perhaps it tells us why in Luke 10, verse 21, where it says:
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the holy spirit, said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and have revealed them to little children. Yes, father, for this was your good pleasure.'�
And now Christmas is drawing near, it is almost upon us and I ask myself if I am strong enough to praise God instead of myself? Instead of man?
I keep looking through the bible but I cannot find the name Santa Claus anywhere. What am I going to do for Christmas? What are you going to do? I think I know what I should do. I should follow St. Peter's lead and break down and weep over the way I go along with the twisting of this holy holiday from one of the heart and soul to one of greed and selfishness; forget what Jesus preached and buy those presents; show everyone how much of a man you are; for what is a man judged by in today's world if not his bank account? If not his credit rating?
I am beginning to fear that it is too late for me. My youngest child is 12; what will she think of me if I give her nothing but a bible scripture or a day helping someone less fortunate than herself? I know all my children expect their mandatory presents, which I will, of course, deliver, for I love them all, but what about God? What about the Christ in Christmas? What am I going to do? Go to church? To Mass? Will that cover me? Like I said, it is a dilemma for me, how about you? Are you, as I expect you are, still telling your children the fairy tale of Santa Claus? I think we should all consider shedding some tears as St. Peter did so long ago and maybe some hypocrisy along with it. What do you think? I know what it says in Luke 12, verse 40:
You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.'�
And here we all are, still looking for Santa Claus.

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